YouTube Eyes the Oscars Rights, Could Shake Up Hollywood’s Biggest Night

YouTube may be getting ready to take on Hollywood’s most famous awards show. According to two people familiar with the talks, the Google-owned video giant has asked about buying the rights to broadcast the Academy Awards.

Right now, the Oscars are tied to ABC under a deal that runs through 2028. ABC and its parent company Disney have been the longtime home for the show. But the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is already in new negotiations for the future, and YouTube has joined the list of interested bidders. If it actually won the rights, it would be one of the biggest shifts in awards show history.

YouTube has been moving deeper into live events in recent years. It paid big money to secure the NFL’s Sunday Ticket package, fought for other sports contracts, and has bragged about the size of its live audiences. Just last week, YouTube pointed to the success of the New Heights podcast live stream with Travis and Jason Kelce, which drew extra attention thanks to Taylor Swift.

Bringing the Oscars to YouTube would be another huge step. The awards have been losing viewers for years, with ratings dropping to some of the lowest levels in their history. A move to the world’s most-watched video platform could help bring in younger audiences and create more global attention.

As one industry watcher put it, “Supplanting ABC and Disney as the official home of the Academy Awards — Hollywood’s most prestigious awards show — would be a huge statement from YouTube and a shock to the industry.”

It would also be symbolic. Not too long ago, YouTube was seen as a problem for Hollywood, accused of hosting pirated content and hurting traditional media. Now, it is arguably the most powerful video platform in the world, with billions of users and more reach than any TV network. Hosting the Oscars would show just how much the balance of power has changed.

Still, there’s no guarantee YouTube will succeed. The Academy is weighing several offers. Some rivals can offer the best of both worlds: a broadcast network plus a streaming platform. At least three of those companies also own movie studios that still see theatrical releases as a top priority. For the Academy, the decision will ultimately come down to money and reach.

For now, the Oscars will continue on ABC until 2028. But with YouTube and others circling, the next deal could mark a turning point. The show may still celebrate the past year in movies, but the battle to air it is really about the future of entertainment.

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